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Open Standard · M2 Planning & Scheduling

M2.2 Logic, Critical Path & Float

The learner should be able to construct and analyse a logically linked schedule, choose relationships, recognise missing or inappropriate logic, distinguish logic from constraints, identify critical and near-critical paths, understand total and free float, recognise negative or unusually high float, understand how progress changes the path, and use the analysis to support decisions. The goal is to understand the schedule as a model, not simply as software output.
8 knowledge pages4,159 discussions1 blogsRead M2.2 in the Open Standard text

Knowledge

Articles and chapters

  • M2.5 — Schedule Forecasting & Analysis

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to take a credible current schedule and use it to forecast likely future outcomes, explain what is driving those outcomes, test alternative scenarios, assess the effect of uncertainty and management interventions.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.4 — Progress Updating & Schedule Control

    1. Practical outcomeBy the end of this section, the learner should be able to take an approved schedule and turn it into a trustworthy current control model at each reporting cycle. They should be able to establish a clear data date, collect and validate actual progress, record actual starts and acomplishments.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.3 — Resources, Productivity & Schedule Optimisation

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to test whether a logically valid schedule is actually deliverable with the people, skills, equipment, facilities and other constrained resources available to the project. They should be able to distinguish resource demand from capacity.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.2 — Logic, Critical Path & Float

    The learner should be able to construct and analyse a logically linked schedule, choose relationships, recognise missing or inappropriate logic, distinguish logic from constraints, identify critical and near-critical paths, understand total and free float, recognise negative or unusually high float.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.1 — Planning & Schedule Development

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to turn authorised scope and an agreed delivery strategy into a credible, structured and maintainable project schedule that explains what work must be performed, in what broad sequence, and over what durations and calendars etc.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M1.5 — Data Quality, Integration & Traceability

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to establish and operate a project-controls data environment in which important information is complete enough, accurate enough, timely enough, consistent enough and traceable enough to support management decisions.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M1.3 — Integrated Baselines

    By the end of this section, the practitioner should be able to establish, test and explain an integrated project baseline that brings authorised scope, schedule, budget, assumptions, progress rules and accountability into one coherent reference position.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2 — Planning & Scheduling

    Module 2 establishes the essential practices for developing, managing and controlling credible project schedules. It explains how to translate project scope into a structured schedule, establish logical relationships, identify critical and near-critical paths, and understand float and milestone dependencies. It also covers how to assess resource availability, productivity and delivery constraints, optimise schedules, and maintain accurate progress updates using objective evidence. Finally, it explains how to analyse schedule performance, forecast likely completion dates, identify emerging risks and evaluate recovery options. Together, these practices provide a reliable foundation for understanding project timelines, monitoring delivery performance, anticipating delays and supporting informed decisions to keep projects on track.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M6.5 — Claims & Forensic Analysis

    1. Practical outcome The learner should be able to preserve relevant records, define a forensic question, establish a reliable chronology, test cause and effect across schedule and cost, distinguish facts from assumptions and produce reproducible findings. They should understand how project-controls…

    20 Oct 2026
  • M6.4 — Assurance & Control Reviews

    1. Practical outcomeThe learner should be able to plan and conduct a proportionate review of project-controls data, processes and outputs; test evidence against stated criteria; identify material weaknesses; communicate their consequences; and verify corrective action. They should distinguish…

    17 Oct 2026

Discussions

4,155 discussions

  1. 3replies
    New PM in a growing team looking for specific software
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Samuel Austin· 10 years ago
  2. 3replies
    P6 Schedule with Budgeted Labor Unit
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Siddiq Ahmed· 10 years ago
  3. 3replies
    Right Logical Relationships
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Emran Hussain· 10 years ago
  4. 3replies
    Risk of having multiple users for a single project
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Ellie R· 10 years ago
  5. 3replies
    Change in critical path on conversion of programme from P6 to MSP
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Geetanjali Singh· 10 years ago
  6. 3replies
    Planning and SAP
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Jithin Kambhikanam· 10 years ago
  7. 3replies
    Maximum Delay in Month
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Arun Vasanth· 10 years ago
  8. 3replies
    Scheduling factory facility as resources
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Mohamed Farhan· 10 years ago
  9. 3replies
    URGENT ONE PLEASE !! Import from Excel Error
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Jean-Michel Albert· 10 years ago
  10. 3replies
    Transmission Line Project Schedule
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Phil Palmer· 10 years ago

1,691–1,700 of 4,155

Blogs

Thought leadership

  • How Project Planners Should Deal with a Difficult Client PMO

    Ten ways to keep your client happy, protect your construction programme and build stronger working relationships.Every construction planner knows that keeping the client happy matters. But what…

    Sunchana Johnston

    17 Oct 2026
  • Sunchana’s P6 Lancelot Meets OPC Star Wars

    Several months ago, I was engaged as the planning lead with one of the most significant infrastructure organisations.My assignments appeared straightforward: to provide independent planning expertise and advise senior stakeholders on the most appropriate software solution to support the extensive…

    Sunchana Johnston

    10 Aug 2026
  • PROCEDURES No 15 – Planning Standards

    Fed up with adverts from software companies and consultancies that are going to change the world of Planning and solve all your project problems? This series of occasional articles promises nothing but thought provoking questions on how well we understand the basics of our profession from the…

    PP Admin

    10 Aug 2026
  • PROCEDURES No 14 – Minimum Planning Expectations from THE MANAGEMENT!

    Fed up with adverts from software companies and consultancies that are going to change the world of Planning and solve all your project problems? This series of occasional articles promises nothing but thought provoking questions on how well we understand the basics of our profession from the…

    PP Admin

    20 Jul 2026
  • Programme Planning Standards: The Rules of the Game

    Programme Planning Standards: The Rules of the GameStudies consistently show that organisations with mature project management practices achieve better delivery outcomes than those with ad hoc approaches. Yet one of the simplest disciplines is often overlooked—agreeing a common Programme Planning…

    Sunchana Johnston

    5 Jul 2026
  • Projects…Start with What & Why

    What are we doing? And why are we doing it? These are the first two critical questions that must be asked at the start of every project. However, they often go unanswered!The nominal “what” is often provided. Implement a new system. Launch a new program. Build a road or bridge. However, the “why” is

    Alan Zucker

    7 Jul 2025

Jobs

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    £100-130,000
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